Blue Jays draft Chaz Frank in 20th round

All Chaz Frank was worried about Saturday afternoon was beating South Carolina in Game One of North Carolina's Super Regional series in Chapel Hill.

By JASON QUEENThe Dispatch

All Chaz Frank was worried about Saturday afternoon was beating South Carolina in Game One of North Carolina's Super Regional series in Chapel Hill.But, when he headed to the locker room after the win, he got even better news. Frank, a Central Davidson graduate who starts in center field for the Heels, was selected in the 20th round of Major League Baseball's amateur players draft. The Toronto Blue Jays, who had been in discussions with Frank over the past few weeks, guaranteed his baseball career would not end when UNC's season does.The Tar Heels lost Game 2 to the Gamecocks on Sunday, forcing a decisive Game 3. But the threat of tornados throughout the state prompted officials to postpone that game to noon Tuesday.Monday, Frank was relaxing and getting ready to get some rest; he could sleep a little easier knowing he would soon be a professional baseball player. “It's something I've worked toward my whole life,” he said. “It's nice to see all the hard work paid off.”Frank was one of the best players in Davidson County for several years, teaming with Zack Briggs and Matt Tysinger to form a sensational trio at the top of the Spartans' lineup. Carolina coach Mike Fox liked what he saw out of Frank, and offered him a scholarship.Always a tremendously hard worker, Frank finally worked his way into the Heels' outfield during his sophomore year. He has been a fixture there, and at the top of the batting order, since.This season, he hit .303 with 15 doubles, five triples and 35 RBIs. He scored 58 runs and stole 22 bases.Fans who were watching Saturday's game found out moments after Frank was drafted, when a graphic flashed on the screen. But he didn't find out himself until after the game was over, and the Heels had walked off with a dramatic 6-5 win. “One of the guys came up to me, and said ‘Congrats,'” Frank recalled. “I was like, ‘Wait, congrats for what?' And he said, ‘For the win, and you just got drafted!'“It was a pretty good day.”The Blue Jays had been talking with Frank the past few weeks, along with other major league clubs. He said he had had extensive conversations with the A's and Braves, and had a feeling he would be drafted somewhere between the 10th and 20th rounds.“I didn't care who took me,” he said. “I just want the opportunity to play. I've been able to prove myself at every level, and that's what I hope to do with the Blue Jays.”While he's excited about the prospects of beginning his professional career, he's not quite ready to hang up his Tar Heels jersey just yet. If Carolina wins Game 3 on Tuesday, the Heels will advance to the College World Series in Omaha. Frank has been a part of one UNC team that went to the College World Series, and he hopes he can return to the college game's biggest stage — and bring home a national championship.“They told me they'd get in touch with me sometime in the next couple of weeks, after our season ends,” Frank said. “I hope it doesn't end anytime soon.”He said he greatly appreciated the sacrifices his mom and dad, Dawna and Derrick Frank, have made his entire life. Frank said they spent a lot of time and money taking him all over the country to play baseball, and he knows that was necessary to make this dream come true.

Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220 or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.